Laneway Present Leon Bridges

International breakout artist Leon Bridges today reveals Sydney and Melbourne headline dates on his first-ever Australian visit. Adding to his already announced Falls Festival dates in December-January, Leon will bring his unique brand of vintage soul to Sydney’s Metro Theatre on Sunday 3rd January and Melbourne’s 170 Russell on Thursday 7th January.

Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, the 26 year-old is without doubt one of the year’s most talked-about artists. Celebrated for his captivating on-stage presence, the singer-songwriter has proved himself a rare talent, selling out his debut US tour in a matter of minutes earlier this year. In recent months, Leon has played to crowds at some of the world’s most iconic venues, from Albert Hall and O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in the UK to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, along with a forthcoming show at New York’s famous Apollo Theater, catering to his ever-growing fan-base. He performs smouldering ballads, elemental rock’n’roll and sassy big-band numbers with equal aplomb, testament to his broad appeal to critics, industry and fans alike.

Leon’s anticipated and critically acclaimed debut album Coming Home was released in June this year; It shot to No.6 in the US, and peaked at No.8 in Australia and the UK on release. The album, produced by Austin Jenkins and Josh Block of Texan band White Denim, has delivered three celebrated singles, with the buttery, seductive ‘Coming Home’ and the piston-driven doo-wop flavoured ‘Better Man’ demonstrating Bridges’ versatility. Current single ‘Smooth Sailin’ is a brass-laden two-chord wonder with a hint of blues guitar to accompany Bridges’ trademark southern vocals.

Fresh from performing at this month’s Apple Music Festival in London, where he shared the bill with the likes of The Weeknd, Pharrell, Florence & The Machine and The Chemical Brothers, Leon Bridges will embark on his first ever headline North American tour this October. He’s graced the stages of select music festivals around the world including the UK’s Glastonbury, Latitude Festival and Citadel, and will hit Austin City Limits Festival during his US tour next month. Watch a snippet of Leon’s Glastonbury set here.

With a sound steeped in tradition and drenched with intention and desire, Leon Bridges is an immense talent set to live up to his hype. The New York Times says that Leon “… has both an edgeless, soothing voice and a knack for swinging, idea-filled songwriting”. While NME writes that, “Coming Home exists in a satin-swathed time warp that takes you back 55 years.”

Music lovers take note: You definitely don’t want to miss Leon Bridges on what promises to be the first of many Australian visits in the years to come. With his distinctive soul-blues-gospel stylings and full band in tow, Leon is set to blow audiences away when he touches down in the country this December.

Laneway Presents, is the touring arm of St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival. It promotes select Laneway Festival sideshows along with some of the world's most dynamic emerging and established artists - year round.

Built on the same philosophy that has helped make the festival a success, Laneway Presents showcases what's fresh for genuine lovers of music.